By The Numbers: Mike Mastroni

March, 1 2015by Nuno Oliveira

Devin Feil Photo

We’ve written down 100 random questions and assorted topics, all of which are unbeknownst to our victims. We will be asking people to pick 20 random numbers from 1-100 and then supplying them with those questions/topics to answer. Who knows what might come up!?!?!

Up next, is rider and filmer extraordinaire Mike Mastroni. Mike’s latest project for Volume has just seen the light of day, and I think he did a spectacular job on it (and also IN it). Learn more about The Finer Things HERE, then go pick up a copy for your library.

Continue reading to check out Mike’s By The Numbers Q&A. Thanks to Devin Feil for the pic.

Best gift you have ever received?

This actually just took me a long time to figure out. I think getting a my tan Terrible One Barcode frame at age 12 or 13 was probably best & most exciting gift ever. I cared about that bike as if it were actually alive, because when you’re a kid that’s literally the only thing that matters. Looking at it now between having that bike and following everything T-1 were doing online, it definitely helped me develop a strong sense of identity as a BMX rider. This in turn made me more focused on riding and less interested in all the other stupid things kids start getting into at that age.

What has been an “ahh-ha! ” moment in your life?

Within the last few years, I’d say just realizing that I don’t have to limit my own riding & creativity to the boundries of what BMX deems cool or acceptable. For all you kids reading this, neither do you. I distinctly remember something clicking in my brain and it was exactly like, “ahh-ha, I’m going to do whatever the fuck I want now!!”

If you could trade places for 1 week with someone, who would it be and why?

I’m actually really not interested, I like being me.

What are you most proud of?

Currently, The Finer Things DVD.

What are you saving up for?

Generally everything I have goes right back into what I do, so right now I’m just doing my thing one day at a time. There are some months I’m able to save a little bit, but it’s usually not on purpose.

If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life- what would it be?

Probably just my current steez. Tiny shoes, funky socks, slim fitting pants with a slight but mandatory flare at the bottom, 3/4 sleeve, and sunglasses is what I’ve got going on. Basically, I get out of bed every morning and pretend it’s 1975.

How do you define success in life?

I define success as happiness achieved thru a hard earned sense of self satisfaction with whatever it is that you’re doing. I’ll take that over money, luxury, or anything like that. I also think there’s something to be said for unkempt one can look while still existing comfortably within modern society. Basically If you’re in a job situation that allows you to grow your hair to your knees and still make a living, then you’ve made it.

What is your most prized possession?

My hard drives containing everyone’s hard earned footage and my video cameras. As much as I would love to say my bike is my prized posession, the fact is that it’s completely replaceable at this point. I’d actually be much more upset if all my clothes got stolen out of the dryer vs. my bike going missing.

What do you think is an important topic that doesn’t get enough attention?

The Volume Team and all the cool shit were doing, duh!

What is a weird, strange or funny story about something that happened to you?

I essentially get to go out & play in the world everyday while trying capture something and get away with it before getting in trouble with mindless adults. Everyday of my life is definitely a weird, strange, & funny story. And yes, that is also my response because I can’t think of one specific story that is better than the others at the moment.

Have you ever been frustrated by assembling IKEA furniture? If so, what was it?

My desk. I’ve had it forever but I definitely remember it being pretty unnecessarily hard to assemble.

If you could ambush anyone with water balloons, who would it be?

I would actually never physicially throw water on anyone with electronics, but just for the sake of making people angry and drawing attention to this: I’d like to huck one at anyone who thinks running around with a glide-cam is an acceptable way to film a line. So theoretical glide-cam guy, or actually maybe just this really grumpy old man and his wife next-door. The latter might actually be more of a real life fantasy…maybe I’ll do it if we ever move out.

What was the last book you read?

Damn it, I would get this question. In all honesty I really don’t have any interest in reading books at this point in my life. I do however strongly disagree with the stereotype that being a book reader somehow makes you more intelligent than someone who isn’t a book reader. There are plenty of people out there who read books and are still completely incapable of composing a decent sentence.

If you could morph 3 humans into one super human, who would you choose and why?

I’d go with whoever I personally feel to be the 3 most attractive women in the world. I think the reasons are obvious here, especially if it’s just me, uh… “morphing” them.

What is the most random thing you have written off on your taxes?

I’ve always kept it pretty honest. My tax guy did tell me to write of all my clothes and any purchases pertaining to the upkeep of my “image” as a professional bike rider which I found convenient. However, still not convenient enough to actually get me to pay those taxes…

If you could have any car in the world (exotic or otherwise), what would it be?

Beyond the factory apps you can’t delete, almost none. I actually have everything all on one screen with no scrolling going on. I spend way too much time on my phone already between handling two Instagram accounts, so I can only image how bad it would be if I were a “there’s an app for that” kinda guy.

What was the last magazine article you read?

I just read a few things in the new Ride, as well as Dig…which is technically a magazine but in the digital sense.

Toilet paper. When the roll is getting low, are you guilty of using just enough not to replace it, or do you do the right thing?

I’ll always go get more, but really that never actually occurs until it’s all gone.